Pilgrim5678

Hi All, We are 2 adults w/ a 10 yr old. spending a few days in Athens followed by 5 or 6 nights on an island. We would like to spend all of our island time on one island, but which one? Santorini looks nice, but maybe not enough for us to do? Thanks in advance for any advice.

Heimdall

You have lots to choose from, and if you fly, no island with an airport is more than an hour from Athens. It would help to know what time of year you will be travelling, and what are your interests. Some islands are great for beaches but not for ancient sites, & vice-versa. If your son is interested in mythology you could skip the islands and go to the Peloponnese, which has many ancient sites, and great beaches too.

Pilgrim5678

We will be in Greece in early July. All three of us are interested in Greek mythology, ruins, being near a town that is nice for dinner and evening strolls. We do like to see and experience the natural beauty of an area and interesting geology.

Heimdall

Before deciding on an island have a look at Nafplion, a charming town with many nearby archaeological sites. If you rent a car you could base yourself in Nafplion and drive to many nearby sites from there. The drive from Athens is about 3 hours, and you will pass over the Corinth Canal, something well worth stopping to see.

With a flight you could go to Rhodes or Crete, but if you want to go by ferry you need to stick to something closer to Athens. The only two major archaeological sites in the Cyclades are on Santorini and Delos (close to Mykonos but no overnight accommodation). Mykonos will be very busy in July, but there are other more family friendly islands. You could go to Naxos or Paros, both more noted for beaches, and take a day trip to Delos/Mykonos.

Really, you need to get a guidebook and do some research. Everyone has their favourite island, and you will get many suggestions.

greg

I was in Nafplio last week. It is a pretty town without hustles and bustles of Athens. With Palamidi fortress on the hill and Bourtzi fortress in the golf, it may be an interesting place to visit for a 10yr old. The place to see the Corinth Canal is from the non-highway bridge that crosses the canal just NW of the highway E94. There are cafes on the both sides of the canal where you can park a car, walked to the bridge over the canal and have a Greek coffee and other goodies. Epidaurus and Mycenae nearby are not to be missed.

Pilgrim5678

Thanks to both of you for your replies. If we go to an island we are now thinking that Naxos would be a great place for us. Now we just have to figure our the best way to get there from Athens. We haven't found any flights from direct to Naxos from Athens yet, although plenty to Mykonos and Santorini...do you have to take a multi-stop flight to get to Naxos from Athens and if so would taking a ferry end up taking the same amount of time as flying?

brotherleelove2004

Olympic Air provides direct flights to Naxos.

oliverandharry

We flew Olympic to Naxos from Athens last year in early June. One flight a day, 50 seat plane, and they do not open up the dates until 60 days or so before. Be prepared to grab it when they post - they don't last long.

Pilgrim5678

Thank you for the tip. Any comments on where to stay in Naxos would be welcome. We like the idea of walking to town in the evenings, but the beaches south of Naxos Town look nicer.

parosblue

The flights to the islands are direct and the ferries are indeed longer. Although I prefer the ferries as I love the trip via water. Either Naxos or Paros would be a good choice for your family. There is plenty to do.My favorite is Paros - you can take an easy day trip to Antiparos with a charming village, nice beaches and a visit an amazing cave. Both islands have interesting history and lovely towns to walk around. No doubt you'll be happy on either. You'll have ample opportunity to get infused with history in Athens. Be sure to visit the new Acropolis Museum and the National Archeological Museum. Lots to see and do walking around the Agora and Plaka.

travelerjan

THe beach where you can walk into town in 10 minutes is St. George but it is shallow, and in July VERY crowded. The other beaches are served by busses every 30 mns or so, you can take them in to town, the lst bus back would be late, 2300 or so. Ag. Prokopios is a wide beech with deep water .... but if you book, be careful that your place is not too far off beach & you have to walk on heavily trafficked road to reach beach. Ag. Anna has very narrow beach, in July too crammed for my taste... Plaka is my favorite of the beach row ... look at Aronis Taverna & Apts, lovely shady patio, restaurant with food from the family's own Naxian farm, separate buildings with sea view balconies. Last bus stop in Plaka,

trvlgrl

Hi - we did a similar trip last summer with our nine-year old. We stayed in Athens for a two or three (HOT) days then took the ferry to Naxos and flew back. We stayed on Agios Prokopios beach and just relaxed and enjoyed ourselves, swimming and snorkeling around. We took the bus into Naxos Chora a couple of times to wander around the old town (really great maze of passages, shops and cafes) and to eat at the tavernas on the harbor. One day we rented a car and drove all around the island, stopping off for lunch in beautiful Apeiranthos and then visiting the Demetre temple... We loved Naxos. We are thinking of going back to Greece again this year, and are torn between trying a new island, and staying again in AP as we loved it so much. It all depends on what you are looking for... We didn't think the road had that much traffic - some parts of the day were busier than others - but then again, we live in London so maybe we have a different perspective.

Heimdall

You are right, trvgrl, the road isn't all that busy. I doubt travelerjan has even been on Naxos in July. ;-)

If you enjoyed Naxos, no harm in going there again. The more you get to know a place the more you can appreciate it. If you do want to try another island, though, check out Antiparos.

Frances

We'll be arriving in Greece two weeks today and heading to Naxos for our fourth visit.
Staying at Anixis Hotel in the town with lovely views of the Portara. Last time we were there they had mattress toppers on the beds which were supremely comfortable. That was unusual for a hotel of this standard in Greece.
We travel by bus but did hire a car for a day last time to see the north of the island.
Several good restaurants within five minutes of this hotel . Cost is 35 euros a night.

Pilgrim5678

Excellent, thank you to all! We have reserved 6 nights at Paradiso Naxos Studios & Taverna as it seems to be located near enough to the bus to get to the Chora, it's on Agia Anna beach, has its own taverna and small farm, please see: http://naxos-paradiso.gr/

We've had several email exchanges directly with with the proprietors.They confirmed for our dates but do not seem to require a deposit...is this the norm with smaller/family owned accommodations? Is anyone familiar with this establishment? It looks so delightful - simple, non-resorty/touristy, clean and great location are our priorities - we can't wait to get there.

BigRuss

Mykonos is not really a family vacation island. The crowd that visits is party-hardy and a lot of "alternate" lifestyle folks. If you care, that latter point will be a big issue. If you don't care, the mere party-hardy demographic may be an issue. The only interesting thing to do other than flop on the beach is go to Delos. And it is MOBBED in summer.

Crete should have a sizable amount of things to do. Santorini does too. Take it as given that you'll spend a few days on the beach and Santorini has different types of beaches at different points of the island.

trvlgrl

ps - thanks Heimdall for the recommendation. We left it a bit late to book our tickets to Greece and they had gotten really expensive, so we have decided to go to Slovenia/Croatia for a long week instead. I will keep Paros/Antiparos in mind for the next trip.

Pilgrim - we were surprised at not having to make a deposit either, but there was no problem when we arrived at our hotel on AP. We loved where we stayed at Agios Prokopios and the beach there is really pretty too - you could probably take the bus to AP one day for a change if you desire. Naxos is really relaxed. I'm sure you will have a great time.

lhda

Good morning ... could you come to Paros a lovely corsage quiet island suitable for families.we recommend you the rooms HAROULA WHICH is in Naoussa of Paros. is quite large rooms 60tm.for more INFORMATION You can access the page http://www.apartmentsparos.gr/apartm...os-greece.html thank you k We are waiting for you